Comparison of satellite observed tropospheric NO2 over India with model simulations

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) plays a key role in the chemistry of the atmosphere and is emitted mainly by combustion processes. These emissions have been increasing over India over the past few years due to rapid economic growth and yet there are very few systematic ground based observations of NO₂ over this region. We thus take recourse to satellite data and compare tropospheric NO₂ column abundances simulated by a chemical transport model, MOZART, with data from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) for a few locations in India that have seen a rapid economic growth in the last decade. The model generally simulates higher columnar abundances of NO₂ compared to GOME observations and does not reproduce the features of the observed seasonal behaviour. The combined uncertainties of the emission inventory and retrieval of the satellite data could be contributing factors to the discrepancies. It may be thus worthwhile to develop emission inventories for India at a higher resolution to include local level activity data. The ten year data (1996–2006) from GOME and SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) show increasing trends for Indian cities where rapid industrial and vehicular traffic growth has been observed during this period.     

Metal contamination of soils and plants associated with the glass industry in North Central India: prospects of phytoremediation

Introduction  

The effect of the glass industry on urban soil metal characterization was assessed in the area of Firozabad, India. A comprehensive profile of metal contamination was obtained in five zones each containing five specific sites.     

Climate variability, vulnerability, and coping mechanism in Alaknanda catchment, Central Himalaya, India

A study was carried out to discover trends in the rainfall and temperature pattern of the Alaknanda catchment in the Central Himalaya. Data on the annual rainfall, monsoon rainfall for the last decade, and average annual temperatures over the last few decades were analyzed. Nonparametric methods (Mann-Kendall and Sen's method) were employed to identify trends. The Mann-Kendall test shows a decline in rainfall and rise in temperature, and these trends were found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level for both transects. Sen's method also confirms this trend. This aspect has to be considered seriously for the simple reason that if the same trend continues in the future, more chances of drought are expected. The impact of climate change has been well perceived by the people of the catchment, and a coping mechanism has been developed at the local level.     

Mechanistic understanding of human–wildlife conflict through a novel application of dynamic occupancy models

Crop and livestock depredation by wildlife is a primary driver of human–wildlife conflict, a problem that threatens the coexistence of people and wildlife globally. Understanding mechanisms that underlie depredation patterns holds the key to mitigating conflicts across time and space. However, most studies do not consider imperfect detection and reporting of conflicts, which may lead to incorrect inference regarding its spatiotemporal drivers. We applied dynamic occupancy models to elephant crop depredation data from India between 2005 and 2011 to estimate crop depredation occurrence and model its underlying dynamics as a function of spatiotemporal covariates while accounting for imperfect detection of conflicts. The probability of detecting conflicts was consistently <1.0 and was negatively influenced by distance to roads and elevation gradient, averaging 0.08–0.56 across primary periods (distinct agricultural seasons within each year). The probability of crop depredation occurrence ranged from 0.29 (SE 0.09) to 0.96 (SE 0.04). The probability that sites raided by elephants in primary period t would not be raided in primary period t + 1 varied with elevation gradient in different seasons and was influenced negatively by mean rainfall and village density and positively by distance to forests. Negative effects of rainfall variation and distance to forests best explained variation in the probability that sites not raided by elephants in primary period t would be raided in primary period t + 1. With our novel application of occupancy models, we teased apart the spatiotemporal drivers of conflicts from factors that influence how they are observed, thereby allowing more reliable inference on mechanisms underlying observed conflict patterns. We found that factors associated with increased crop accessibility and availability (e.g., distance to forests and rainfall patterns) were key drivers of elephant crop depredation dynamics. Such an understanding is essential for rigorous prediction of future conflicts, a critical requirement for effective conflict management in the context of increasing human–wildlife interactions.     

Role of traditional conservation practice: highlighting the importance of Shivbari sacred grove in biodiversity conservation

Recognizing the importance of sacred groves in biodiversity conservation and management, and the recent threats to them, the present study was conducted in Shivbari sacred grove of Himachal Pradesh. The study aimed at documenting the floral wealth of Shivbari and promoting plantation of indigenous species in participation with local people. For this, systematic field surveys in different seasons were conducted in Shivbari from April 2005 to November 2009, and liaison was maintained with the local community and temple management authority for gaining insight into the history and problems of Shivbari and initiating plantation activities. A total of 69 flowering plant species were identified inside the grove, which include 14 trees, 9 shrubs, 3 lianas and 43 herbs. This represents almost 2% of the total flowering plant species occurring in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Mallotus philippensis followed by Putranjiva roxburghii was the most dominant tree species. Adhatoda zeylanica was the most common shrub species, while Achyranthes aspera was the most common herb species. The grove harbours 23 plants species that are in high demand in the market, and at the same time also influences the microclimate of the area. The temperature inside the grove was significantly lower than the temperature outside the grove. The recent changes in socio-economic status of the local people and a shift towards market-oriented economy have threatened the survival of Shivbari. However, the deeply held beliefs of the pilgrims, local people and priest offer a ray of hope. During the course of the study, 3,000 plants were planted inside the grove out of which 60% have survived.     

Macroinvertebrate and fish populations in a restored impounded salt marsh 21 years after the reestablishment of tidal flooding

During the last two decades, the State of Connecticut has restored tidal flow to many impounded salt marshes. One of the first of these and the one most extensively studied is Impoundment One in the Barn Island Wildlife Management Area in Stonington, Connecticut. In 1990, twelve years after the re-establishment of tidal flooding, the density of the marsh snail Melampus bidentatus, the numerically dominant macroinvertebrate of the high marsh, in Impoundment One was about half that in reference marshes below the breached impoundment dike. By 1999 the densities of Melampus above and below the dike were not significantly different, but the shell-free biomass was greater above the dike as a result of the somewhat larger number and size of the snails there. Twenty-one years after the renewal of tidal flooding, three marsh macroinvertebrates (the amphipods Orchestia grillus and Uhlorchestia spartinophila and the mussel Geukensia demissa) were significantly less abundant in the previously impounded marsh than in the reference marshes, whereas another amphipod (Gammarus palustris) was more abundant above the breached dike where conditions appeared to be somewhat wetter. In 1991 the fish assemblage in a mosquito-control ditch in Impoundment One was similar to that in a ditch below the breached dike; however, the common mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus appeared to be less abundant in the restoring marsh. By 1999 the number of mummichogs caught in ditches was significantly greater in Impoundment One than in the reference marsh, but the numbers of mummichogs trapped along the tidal creek were comparable above and below the dike. The results obtained in this study and those of other restoring marshes at Barn Island indicate the full recovery of certain animal populations following the reintroduction of tidal flow to impounded marshes may require up to two or more decades. Furthermore, not only do different species recover at different rates on a single marsh, but the time required for the recovery of a particular species may vary widely from marsh to marsh, often independently of other species.     

Solar cooking innovations,their appropriateness,and viability

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The successful use of solar energy for cooking requires the systems adopted not only to have technical attributes that conveniently address specific...